Tensioned Metastable Fluid Detectors in Nuclear Security for Active Interrogation of Special Nuclear Materials―Part B

Jeffrey A. Webster, Rusi P. Taleyarkhan

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DOI: 10.4236/wjnst.2011.13011                

Abstract

This paper (constituting Part B) addresses active interrogation for detecting Special Nuclear Materials (SN- Ms) and includes description of the transformational Tensioned Metastable Fluid Detector (TMFD) based method for optimal monitoring. One of the greatest difficulties in detection of SNMs by active interrogation is the task of distinguishing between the probing particles and the secondary particles that indicate the presence of SNMs. The TMFD’s selective insensitivity and γ photon blindness features are advantageous for alleviating this problem. The working principle of the TMFD is discussed along with its applications for security. The experimental work to date involving detection of small quantities of uranium with conventional detectors is discussed along with results of fission neutron detection. Statistically significant detection was achieved within 5 minutes of counting to ascertain and measure conclusive evidence for the presence of a 55g sample of uranium containing < 0.1g of ²³⁵U. Results of simulations of three active detection techniques utilizing a TMFD system are presented. The process for using the TMFD to discriminate active source particles using timing and energy are described. These simulations indicate that it should be possible to utilize the TMFD system for optimal neutron-based interrogation of SNMs.

Keywords

Tensioned Metastable Fluid Detector, Active Interrogation, TMFD, SNM Detection

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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